Gentry Day is an annual tradition where fans of Preston North End attend one away game dressed in suits and bowler hats as a way of celebrating and remembering anyone associated with the club who has passed away.
History
Alan Ball Sr. managed Preston North End during the 1970–71 season, leading them to the Third Division title. On September 30 1970, speaking after a 1-0 win at Shrewsbury Town, Ball said:
“It’s great to see these people travelling as far as Shrewsbury for a night match. To see youngsters clapping and cheering behind the goal is terrific. Some people may call them hooligans. As far as I’m concerned, they are the Gentry.”
As a consequence of those comments, some fans attended matches in suits and bowler hats, dressing in a style associated with the gentry.
In 2005 The Preston Supporters Group (PSG), a supporter's organisation, arranged the “Return of the Gentry” in memory of John Tracey, a member of the original PNE Gentry who had passed away during the season.
In 2008, with the support of the fan-run website PNE-Online and other Preston North End supporter groups, the PSG made it an annual event, with one away game in the second half of every season designated 'Gentry Day'. Some Gentry Days have been decided via poll, such as the 2017/18 Gentry Day.
In 2020 and 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 'Virtual Gentry Days' were hosted. On those occasions the then current Preston players, former players and club staff had phone calls with older fans who were shielding.
Matches
Matches
References